Broadcast tuning concepts

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for receiving content available for consumption. For example, a user device can receive a message about content available for consumption and access the content via the appropriate provided in the user&#39;s broadcast area. Moreover, a user device can be used to access program information based on the user device&#39;s location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/381,199 filed Sep. 9, 2010, which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

With the various media platforms and electronic means of communication,users can share content for consumption with almost anyone and/orreceive content almost anywhere. Thus, a need exists to identify contentavailable in some form of media (e.g., Tweet, email, news feed, etc.)and to assist users in accessing such content.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems,methods, apparatus, and computer program products for receiving contentavailable for consumption.

In accordance with one aspect, a method for receiving content availablefor consumption is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises (1)identifying, via an electronic device, a broadcast area associated withthe electronic device, wherein the broadcast area is identified based atleast in part on the electronic device's location; (2) after identifyingthe broadcast area, receiving program information for the broadcastarea; (3) receiving a request for content, wherein the requested contentis included in the program information; and (4) receiving the requestedcontent.

In accordance with another aspect, an apparatus comprising at least oneprocessor and at least one memory including computer program code isprovided. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to at least (1) identify a broadcast area associated with theelectronic device, wherein the broadcast area is identified based atleast in part on the electronic device's location; (2) after identifyingthe broadcast area, receive program information for the broadcast area;(3) receive a request for content, wherein the requested content isincluded in the program information; and (4) receive the requestedcontent.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a computer program product forreceiving content available for consumption is provided. The computerprogram product may comprise at least one computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein,the computer-readable program code portions comprising executableportions configured to (1) identify a broadcast area associated with theelectronic device, wherein the broadcast area is identified based atleast in part on the electronic device's location; (2) after identifyingthe broadcast area, receive program information for the broadcast area;(3) receive a request for content, wherein the requested content isincluded in the program information; and (4) receive the requestedcontent.

In accordance with another aspect, a method for receiving contentavailable for consumption is provided. In one embodiment, the methodcomprises (1) receiving, via an electronic device, a message comprisinginformation about content available for consumption; (2) generating arequest for the content available for consumption; (3) receiving, viathe electronic device, a link to the content available for consumptionwithin a broadcast area associated with the electronic device; and (4)receiving, via the electronic device, the content available forconsumption based at least in part on the link.

In accordance with still another aspect, a computer program product forreceiving content available for consumption is provided. The computerprogram product may comprise at least one computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein,the computer-readable program code portions comprising executableportions configured to A computer program product for receiving contentavailable for consumption, the computer program product comprising atleast one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions comprising (1) receive a message comprising information aboutcontent available for consumption via an electronic device; (2) generatea request for the content available for consumption; (3) receive a linkto the content available for consumption within a broadcast areaassociated with the electronic device; and (4) receive the contentavailable for consumption based at least in part on the link.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an apparatus comprising at leastone processor and at least one memory including computer program code isprovided. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to at least (1) receive a message comprising information aboutcontent available for consumption via an electronic device; (2) generatea request for the content available for consumption; (3) receive a linkto the content available for consumption within a broadcast areaassociated with the electronic device; and (4) receive the contentavailable for consumption based at least in part on the link.

In accordance with one aspect, a method for receiving content availablefor consumption is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises (1)receiving, via an electronic device, a message comprising informationabout content available for consumption; (2) identifying a broadcastarea associated with the electronic device, wherein the broadcast areais identified based at least in part on the electronic device'slocation; (3) receiving a request for content; (4) identifying requestedcontent based at least in part on program information; and (5) receivingthe requested content.

In accordance with another aspect, a computer program product forreceiving content available for consumption is provided. The computerprogram product may comprise at least one computer-readable storagemedium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein,the computer-readable program code portions comprising executableportions configured to (1) receive a message comprising informationabout content available for consumption via an electronic device; (2)identify a broadcast area associated with the electronic device, whereinthe broadcast area is identified based at least in part on theelectronic device's location; (3) receive a request for content; (4)identify requested content based at least in part on programinformation; and (5) receive the requested content.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an apparatus comprising at leastone processor and at least one memory including computer program code isprovided. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computerprogram code may be configured to, with the processor, cause theapparatus to at least (1) receive a message comprising information aboutcontent available for consumption via an electronic device; (2) identifya broadcast area associated with the electronic device, wherein thebroadcast area is identified based at least in part on the electronicdevice's location; (3) receive a request for content; (4) identifyrequested content based at least in part on program information; and (5)receive the requested content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overview of a system that can be used to practice variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic of a broadcast system according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic of a local device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic of an authentication server accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic of a remote device according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows broadcast areas served by broadcast systems according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7-15 are flowcharts illustrating operations and processes that canbe used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show unique broadcast identifiers according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternativeand conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout. The term “exemplary” is used to be an examplewith no indication of quality level.

I. Methods, Apparatus, Systems, and Computer Program Products

As should be appreciated, various embodiments may be implemented invarious ways, including as methods, apparatus, systems, or computerprogram products. Accordingly, various embodiments may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment in which a processor isprogrammed to perform certain steps. Furthermore, variousimplementations may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable programinstructions embodied in the storage medium. Any suitablecomputer-readable storage medium may be utilized including hard disks,CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Various embodiments are described below with reference to block diagramsand flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus, systems, and computerprogram products. It should be understood that each block of the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, may be implementedin part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps oroperations executing on a processor in a computing system. Thesecomputer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, such as aspecial purpose computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructionswhich execute on the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the functionality specified in theflowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computeror other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions that execute on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport various combinations for performing the specified functions,combinations of operations for performing the specified functions andprogram instructions for performing the specified functions. It shouldalso be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions oroperations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

II. Exemplary System Architecture

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a system that may be used inconjunction with various embodiments of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 1, the system may include one or more broadcast systems 100, oneor more local devices 105, one or more networks 110, one or moreauthentication servers 115, and one or more remote devices 120. Each ofthe components of the system may be in electronic communication with,for example, one another over the same or different wireless or wirednetworks including, for example, a wired or wireless Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network(MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or the like. Additionally, whileFIG. 1 illustrates certain system entities as separate, standaloneentities, the various embodiments are not limited to this particulararchitecture.

1. Broadcast System

Embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination with avariety of broadcast systems 100. For example, a broadcast system 100may be, for example, an over-the-air broadcast system, a cable broadcastsystem, a satellite broadcast system, and/or a variety of other systemsfor transmitting broadcasts.

a. Over-the-Air Broadcast System

FIG. 2 provides an exemplary schematic representative of an over-the-air(OTA) broadcast system 100 that can be used in conjunction withembodiments of the present invention. The OTA broadcast system 100 maybe owned and/or operated by a broadcaster (e.g., KCRG-TV9) andassociated with a broadcast area (e.g., Cedar Rapids, Iowa or theAtlanta, Georgia metropolitan area). A broadcast area may correspond toone or more designated market areas (DMAs), which can be used toidentify the television offerings in the broadcast area. Broadcastersmay have rights to distribute content within broadcast areas (e.g.,within local, regional, or other geographic service areas), such asfree-to-air television or free-to-view television. As will berecognized, a broadcaster may have one or more OTA broadcast systems 100depending on the geographic area (e.g., DMA) the broadcast areaincludes. An OTA broadcast system 100 may include various components tobroadcast/transmit content and/or data via an OTA broadcast (e.g., anOTA broadcast signal). As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the OTAbroadcast system 100 may include a channel coding element 200, amodulation element 205, and a transmitter 210. Although not shown, theOTA broadcast system 100 may also include various other components, suchas audio subsystems, video subsystems, multiplexers, exciters, drivers,amplifiers, network interfaces, processing elements, and/or the like.Via these elements, for instance, the OTA broadcast system 100 canbroadcast/transmit OTA broadcasts within a broadcast area (e.g.,transmit broadcast signals in a one-to-many configuration). The OTAbroadcast system 100 may transmit the broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast)using a variety of standards and protocols, such as Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee (ATSC), Terrestrial Integrated Services DigitalBroadcasting (ISDB-T), Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting(T-DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting—Terrestrial (DVB-T), Digital VideoBroadcasting—Handheld (DVB-H), Satellite Terrestrial InteractiveMulti-service Infrastructure (STiMi), National Television SystemCommittee (NTSC) standards and protocols, and/or the like.

As indicated, the broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast) may include bothcontent and data. Generally, the term “content” may refer to any type ofmedia, whether audio, video, text, and/or the like. For example, contentmay include television broadcasts (e.g., live local newscasts),television programs (e.g., The Office), movies (e.g., video-on-demand(VOD)), datacasts, music, images, videos, text, webpages, and/or thelike. The term “data” may refer to any type of data, including ancillarydata, control data, conditional access control data, data associatedwith program audio and/or video services (e.g., closed captioning),and/or the like.

Although not shown, the OTA broadcast system 100 (or other broadcastfacility located proximate or remote from the OTA broadcast system 100)may also comprise one or more components for providing content to localand remote devices 105, 120 via a network such as the Internet. Thesecomponents may include VOD systems, Internet broadcast systems, contentservers, and/or the like. Thus, via such components, a broadcaster canprovide a variety of content (e.g., linear and non-linear media) via theInternet to local and remote devices 105, 120.

It will be appreciated that one or more of the broadcast system's 100components and other broadcaster components may be located remotely fromone another. Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combinedand additional components performing functions described herein may beincluded.

b. Cable Broadcast System

Although not shown, a cable broadcast system (also referred to as abroadcast system) may be used with embodiments of the present invention.A cable broadcast system may include various components tobroadcast/transmit content and/or data via the cable provider'sbroadcast system to the cable provider's subscribers. For example, invarious embodiments, the cable broadcast system may include a networkoperations center, a cable modem termination system, and a headend totransmit cable broadcasts (e.g., digital cable signals) through thecable provider's distribution network to local devices 105, which mayinclude set-top boxes and/or cable modems. Thus, the set-top boxes(and/or local devices 105) may communicate with a headend over adistribution network. For example, the headend may route messages (e.g.,subscriber inputs) received from the set-top boxes (and/or local devices105) to various components of the cable provider's broadcast system andbroadcast/transmit content (e.g., selected programs) to the set-topboxes.

To perform such functions, the cable broadcast system may includevarious components, such as audio subsystems, video subsystems,multiplexers, switches, encoders satellite receivers and antennae,network interfaces, decoding elements, encoding elements, processingelements, transmitting elements, modulation elements, and/or the like.The cable broadcast system may be capable of receiving and transmittingcontent and data using a variety of standards and protocols such asthose described with regard to the OTA broadcast system 100, includingdata over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS).

c. Satellite Broadcast System

Although not shown, a satellite broadcast system (also referred to as abroadcast system) may be used with embodiments of the present invention.A satellite broadcast system may include various components tobroadcast/transmit content and/or data via the satellite provider'sbroadcast system to the satellite provider's subscribers. For example,in various embodiments, the satellite broadcast system may includeuplink facilities (with transmitting antennae), satellites (withtransponders), receiving satellite dishes, and/or local devices 105.Thus, the satellite broadcast system can broadcast/transmit satellitebroadcasts to subscribers, such as direct broadcast satellite (DBS),television receive only (TVRO), and/or the like. The satellite broadcastsystem may be capable of receiving and transmitting content and datausing a variety of standards and protocols, such as those described withregard to the OTA broadcast system 100.

2. Local Device

FIG. 3 provides an exemplary schematic representative of a local device105 (e.g., an electronic device) that can be used in conjunction withembodiments of the present invention, such as a computing device ortelevision. In general, the term “local device” may refer to, forexample, a device located within a specific service area (e.g., a devicelocated within a broadcaster's broadcast area, which may be a town, acity, a metropolitan area, a state, a region, a country, and/or thelike). As shown in FIG. 3, the local device 105 may include an antenna312, a transmitter 304, a receiver 306, a network interface 320, tuneror tuner card (not shown), and a processing device 308 (e.g., aprocessor, controller, and/or the like) that provides signals to thetransmitter 304 (and/or network interface 320) and receives signals fromreceiver 306 (and/or network interface 320).

The signals provided to the transmitter 304 (and/or network interface320) and received from the receiver 306 (and/or network interface 320)may include signaling information in accordance with an air interfacestandard of applicable wireless systems. In this regard, the localdevice 105 may be capable of operating with one or more air interfacestandards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types.More particularly, the local device 105 may operate in accordance withany of a number of second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G),fourth-generation (4G), ATSC, ISDB-T, T-DMB, DVB-T, DVB-II, STiMistandards and protocols, and/or the like. Further, for example, thelocal device 105 may operate in accordance with any of a number ofdifferent wireless networking techniques, such as 802.11, general packetradio service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code DivisionMultiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), 802.16(WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, Bluetoothprotocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, and/or anyother wireless protocol. The local device 105 may also operate inaccordance with a variety of wired networking standards and protocols.Via these communication standards and protocols, the local device 105can communicate with the authentication server 115, for example, and/orreceive broadcasts/transmissions from the broadcast system 100. Thelocal device 105 can also download changes, add-ons, and updates, forinstance, to its firmware, software (e.g., including modules), andoperating system.

The local device 105 may also comprise a user interface (that caninclude a display 316 coupled to a processing device 308) and/or a userinput interface (coupled to the processing device 308). The user inputinterface can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the localdevice 105 to receive input and/or data, such as a keypad 318, a touchdisplay, voice or motion interfaces, or other input device such as aremote control. The local device 105 can also include volatile memory322 and/or non-volatile memory 324, which can be embedded and/or may beremovable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be embedded orremovable MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks, EEPROM, flash memory,hard disk, or the like. The memory can store any of a number of piecesor amount of information and data used by the local device 105 toimplement the functions of the local device 105. The memory can alsostore content, such as program code for an application and/or otherprograms.

The local device 105 may also be adapted to determine its location by,for example, acquiring, latitude, longitude, altitude, and/or geocodeinformation/data. In one embodiment, a GPS module of a local device 105can acquire data, sometimes known as ephemeris data, by identifying thenumber of satellites (e.g., Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system or aDepartment of Defense (DOD) satellite system) in view and the relativepositions of those satellites. Additionally or alternatively, the localdevice 105 may determine its location via triangulation in connectionwith various communication points (e.g., cellular towers or Wi-Fi accesspoints) positioned at various locations throughout a geographic area.

3. Authentication Server

FIG. 4 provides an exemplary schematic of an authentication server 115according to one embodiment of the present invention. In general, theterm “authentication server” may refer to, for example, any computer,computing device, mobile phone, desktop, notebook or laptop, distributedsystem, broadcast system, server, blade, gateway, switch, or otherprocessing device adapted to perform the functions described herein. Aswill be understood from this figure, in this embodiment, theauthentication server 115 may include a processor 405 that communicateswith other elements within the authentication server 115 via a systeminterface or bus 461. The processor 405 may be embodied in a number ofdifferent ways. For example, the processor 405 may be embodied as aprocessing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various otherprocessing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), a hardware accelerator, or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 405 may be configured toexecute instructions stored in the device memory or otherwise accessibleto the processor 405. As such, whether configured by hardware or othermethods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 405 may represent anentity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of thepresent invention while configured accordingly. A display device/inputdevice 464 for receiving and displaying content and/or data may also beincluded in the authentication server 115. This display device/inputdevice 464 may be, for example, a keyboard or pointing device that isused in combination with a monitor. The authentication server 115further may include memory 463, which may include both read only memory(ROM) 465 and random access memory (RAM) 467. The authenticationserver's ROM 465 may be used to store a basic input/output system (BIOS)426 containing the basic routines that help to transfer information tothe different elements within the authentication server 115.

In addition, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 mayinclude at least one storage device 468, such as a hard disk drive, a CDdrive, and/or an optical disk drive for storing information on variouscomputer-readable media. The storage device(s) 468 and its associatedcomputer-readable media may provide nonvolatile storage. Thecomputer-readable media described above could be replaced by any othertype of computer-readable media, such as embedded or removablemultimedia memory cards (MMCs), secure digital (SD) memory cards, MemorySticks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),flash memory, hard disk, or the like. Additionally, each of thesestorage devices 468 may be connected to the system bus 461 by anappropriate interface.

Furthermore, a number of program modules may be stored by the variousstorage devices 468 and/or within RAM 467. Such program modules mayinclude an operating system 480 and an authentication module 470. Thesemodules may control certain aspects of the operation of theauthentication server 115 with the assistance of the processor 405 andoperating system 480—although their functionality need not bemodularized. For example, the authentication module 470 may be used toauthenticate local devices 105 and/or remote devices 120. In addition tothe program modules, the authentication server 115 may store or beconnected to one or more databases with one or more tables storedtherein.

Also located within the authentication server 115, in one embodiment, isa network interface 474 for interfacing with various computing entities,including the broadcast system 100. This communication may be via thesame or different wired or wireless networks (or a combination of wiredand wireless networks). For instance, the communication may be executedusing a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed datainterface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM), frame relay, DOCSIS, or any other wiredtransmission protocol. Similarly, the authentication server 115 may beconfigured to communicate via wireless external communication networksusing any of a variety of protocols, such as 802.11, general packetradio service (GPRS), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA),or any other wireless protocol. Via these communication standards andprotocols, the authentication server 115 can communicate with the localdevices 105, remote devices 120, and broadcast systems 100. Theauthentication server 115 may also include receivers (not shown),transmitters (not shown), and other components (not shown) capable ofoperating in accordance with ATSC, ISDB-T, T-DMB, DVB-T, DVB-H, STiMistandards and protocols, and/or the like.

It will be appreciated that one or more of the authentication server's115 components may be located remotely from other authentication server115 components. Furthermore, one or more of the components may becombined and additional components performing functions described hereinmay be included in the authentication server 115. Moreover, the physicallocation and operation of the authentication server 115 may vary. Forexample, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 may beoperated by a party independent of the broadcaster and located remotefrom the broadcast system 100. In another embodiment, the authenticationserver 115 may be operated by a broadcaster, with the authenticationserver 115 being located at a broadcast facility such as the broadcastsystem 100. Moreover, there may be multiple authentication servers 115in geographically distinct locations.

4. Remote Device

FIG. 5 provides an exemplary schematic representative of a remote device120 (e.g., an electronic device) that can be used in conjunction withembodiments of the present invention, such as a computing device ortelevision. In general, the term “remote device” may refer to, forexample, a device located outside a specific service area whenattempting to access content associated with the service area (e.g., adevice located outside a broadcaster's broadcast area when attempting toaccess the broadcaster's content). Although, in certain embodiments, theremote device 120 may also be located within a broadcaster's broadcastarea when attempting to access the broadcaster's content. As shown inFIG. 5, the remote device 120 may include an antenna 512, a transmitter504, a receiver 506, a network interface 520, tuner or tuner card (notshown), and a processing device 508 (e.g., a processor, controller,and/or the like) that provides signals to and receives signals from thetransmitter 504 (and/or network interface 520) and receiver 506 (and/ornetwork interface 520).

The signals provided to the transmitter 504 (and/or network interface520) and received from the receiver 506 (and/or network interface 520)may include signaling information in accordance with an air interfacestandard of applicable wireless systems (or wired systems). For example,the remote device 120 may be capable of operating with one or morestandards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access typesas described above with respect to the local device 105.

The remote device 120 may also comprise a user interface (that caninclude a display 516 coupled to a processing device 508) and/or a userinput interface (coupled to the processing device 508). The user inputinterface can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the remotedevice 120 to receive input and/or data, such as a keypad 518, a touchdisplay, voice or motion interfaces, or other input device. The remotedevice 120 can also include volatile memory 522 and/or non-volatilememory 524, which can be embedded and/or may be removable as describedabove with respect to the local device 105. The memory can store any ofa number of pieces or amount of information and data used by the remotedevice 120, such as program code for an application and/or otherprograms.

III. EXAMPLE 1 Broadcast Area Identification and Authentication

Although the portions of following describe an implementation using anOTA broadcast system, embodiments of the present invention may use avariety of broadcast systems, including a cable broadcast system, asatellite broadcast system, and/or a variety of other systems fortransmitting broadcasts. Accordingly, the described examples areprovided for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken in anyway as limiting embodiments of the present invention to the examplesprovided.

1. User Registration

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the process may begin bya local device 105 (e.g., via a user operating a local device 105)generating a request to register a user to access a broadcaster'scontent via a network such as the Internet (Block 700 of FIG. 7). Therequest may be a request, for example, to register the user directlywith a specific broadcaster (e.g., KCRG-TV9, Comcast, DISH Network) oran independent third party representing multiple broadcasters (e.g.,www.syncbak.com). In one embodiment, the request to register the usermay be executed via a module, program, or application that has beendownloaded or preinstalled on the local device 105. In anotherembodiment, the request to register the user may be generated via awebpage of a broadcaster or an independent third party.

In one embodiment, the request to register the user may include userinformation. The user information may include a variety of informationassociated with the user and/or the local device 105. For example, theuser information may include (a) the user's first and last name, (b) theuser's address, (c) the user's zip code, (d) the user's telephonenumber, (e) a username (f) a charge card number, (g) a local deviceidentifier, e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) address or an InternetProtocol (IP) address, and/or (h) the like. The user information may beused to uniquely identify the user and/or the local device 105.

As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, the request to register the useris sent to and received by an authentication server 115 (Block 1000 ofFIG. 10). As previously discussed, the physical location and operationof the authentication server 115 may vary. For example, theauthentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or (b) anindependent third party. Irrespective of ownership and/or operation, inresponse to (e.g., after) receiving the request to register the user,the authentication server 115 can create a user account with the userinformation and electronically store at least a portion of the userinformation in association with the user account (Block 1005 of FIG.10).

It should be noted that in various embodiments, the user account may beused to not only store information associated with the user and thelocal device 105, but additional local devices 105 (e.g., a personalcomputer and a television in the user's home) and/or remote devices 120.The user account and/or user information may be used to provide contentto the local device 105 and/or remote device 120 via the Internet (orother network). In one embodiment, to provide content from thebroadcaster to the local device 105 and/or remote device 120 via theInternet, for example, the local device 105 can be used to identify theappropriate broadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located and beauthenticated as being within or proximate a broadcaster's broadcastarea (e.g., a town, a city, a metropolitan area, a state, a region, acountry, and/or the like).

2. Unique Broadcast Identifier Generation

In one embodiment, the identification and authentication process mayinclude the generation of a unique broadcast identifier corresponding tothe local device 105. In embodiment, the authentication sever 115 maygenerate a unique broadcast identifier corresponding to the local device105 based at least in part on, for example, the user information itreceives from the local device 105 (Block 1010 of FIG. 10). In anotherembodiment, the broadcast system 100 may generate a unique broadcastidentifier associated with the local device 105 based at least in parton user information stored in association with the user account.

In one embodiment, as described, the user information corresponding tothe local device 105 can be used to uniquely identify the user and/orthe corresponding local device 105. As indicated, the user informationmay include (a) the user's first and last name, (b) the user's address,(c) the user's zip code, (d) the user's telephone number, (e) a username(f) a charge card number, (g) a local device identifier, e.g., MACaddress or IP address, and/or (h) the like. Thus, the unique broadcastidentifier generated by the authentication server 115 can also be usedto uniquely identify the user, the local device 105, and/or the content(e.g., channels, affiliates, or broadcasters) for which the local device105 is being or has been authenticated.

In a particular embodiment, the unique broadcast identifier may be, forexample, a data string comprising 12 characters. As shown in FIGS. 16Aand 16B, the first nine characters of the unique broadcast identifiermay comprise a user/local device portion. The user/local device portionmay be used to uniquely identify the user and/or the local device 105.For instance, 974.468.210 may be the first nine characters of the uniquebroadcast identifier that uniquely identify the user and/or the localdevice 105. The last three characters of the unique broadcast identifiermay comprise a content portion. The content portion of the uniquebroadcast identifier may be used to identify the content (e.g.,channels, affiliates, or broadcasters) for which the local device 105 isbeing or has been authenticated. For example, 001 may be the last threecharacters used in the unique broadcast identifier to identify thecontent (e.g., channels, affiliates, or broadcasters). Thus, continuingwith the above example, 001 may be used to represent KCRG-TV9 in CedarRapids, Iowa. Accordingly, if the local device 105 is authenticated witha unique broadcast identifier of 974.468.210.001, the unique broadcastidentifier may be used to indicate that the user and/or local device 105have access rights to KCRG-TV9's content via the Internet (or othernetwork).

As will be recognized, when authenticating multiple local devices 105,the authentication server 115 can generate a unique broadcast identifierfor each local device 105 being authenticated. The local devices 105 maybe located in any number of different geographic areas. For example, inone embodiment, the authentication server 115 (or multipleauthentication servers 115) may create unique broadcast identifiers forlocal devices 105 in (a) Atlanta, Ga., (b) Clearwater, Fla., (c) CedarRapids, Ia., (d) Seattle, Wash., and/or (e) Los Angeles, Calif. Inanother embodiment, the local devices 105 may also be within the (a)same geographic area (e.g., Atlanta, Ga.) and (b) same residence orbusiness. For example, multiple user accounts may be associated with asingle residential or business location. Thus, in one embodiment, theauthentication server 115 (or multiple authentication servers 115) mayinclude or be in communication with a database storing the variousunique broadcast identifiers in association with the respective useraccounts.

In one embodiment, the unique broadcast identifier may be used as a key,for example, to access any premium content for which the usercorresponding to the user account has paid.

For example, given that each broadcaster in the United States may have19.4 megabits per second of spectrum available for broadcast, thebroadcaster may be able to simultaneously provide (a) content that isfree for user consumption and (b) premium content for which the userpays a fee (e.g., a micro-transaction fee) to access.

In one embodiment, after generating the unique broadcast identifier, theauthentication server 115 transmits the unique broadcast identifier toboth the broadcast system 100 and the local device 105 (Block 1015 ofFIG. 10). As indicated in Block 705 of FIG. 7, the local device 105receives the unique broadcast identifier from the authentication server115 and stores it, for example, in memory. Similarly, as indicated inBlock 900 of FIG. 9, the broadcast system 100 can receive the uniquebroadcast identifier from the authentication server 115 forbroadcast/transmission via a broadcast.

3. Broadcast Area Identification and Authentication

As indicated, the (a) local device 105 can receive the unique broadcastidentifier from the authentication server 115 and (b) broadcast system100 can receive the unique broadcast identifier from the authenticationserver 115. In one embodiment, as shown in Block 905 of FIG. 9, thebroadcast system 100 can then insert the unique broadcast identifierinto a broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cablebroadcast). This may be executed, for example, using the program andsystem information protocol (PSIP) delivery schema or any of a varietyof other approaches and techniques. For example, the broadcast system100 may insert the unique broadcast identifier into the broadcast (e.g.,OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cable broadcast) as an ancillarydata stream. As shown in Block 910 of FIG. 9, after inserting the uniquebroadcast identifier into the broadcast, the broadcast system 100 maybroadcast/transmit the broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast,and/or cable broadcast). The broadcast system 100 can broadcast/transmitthe broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cablebroadcast) as a one-to-many broadcast. As will be recognized, thebroadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cable broadcast)may be relayed, repeated, or otherwise transmitted via multiplebroadcast systems 100 or devices within the broadcast area (e.g., DMA).

As will be recognized, when authenticating multiple local devices 105,the broadcast system 100 may broadcast/transmit a burst, for example,with numerous unique broadcast identifiers, each unique broadcastidentifier uniquely identifying an associated local device 105 andcorresponding content access rights. Thus, for instance, the broadcastsystem 100 may periodically, continuously, and/or regularlybroadcast/transmit the unique broadcast identifiers of registered usersregardless of their location with respect to the broadcast system 100.For example, in one embodiment, a broadcaster in Atlanta, Georgia mayperiodically, continuously, or regularly broadcast/transmit the uniquebroadcast identifiers for all users in Georgia, the Southeast, and/orthe United States. Thus, for instance, KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids, Ia. maybroadcast unique identifiers for local devices 105 located in (a)Atlanta, Ga., (b) Clearwater, Fla., (c) Cedar Rapids, Ia., (d) Seattle,Wash., and/or (e) Los Angeles, Calif. As will be recognized, a varietyof approaches and techniques may be used.

In one embodiment, with regard to OTA broadcasts, as shown in FIG. 6, alocal device 105 may receive OTA broadcasts from any number of broadcastsystems 100. For instance, a local device 105 located in Cedar Rapids,Ia. may simultaneously receive 12-15 OTA broadcasts from variousbroadcasters. In one embodiment, each OTA broadcast may comprise anynumber of unique broadcast identifiers corresponding to local devices105 from one or more geographic areas. Thus, at any time, a local device105 may receive many OTA broadcasts from various broadcast systems 100,with each OTA broadcast comprising any number of unique broadcastidentifiers (and perhaps duplicate unique broadcast identifiers).

In one embodiment, as shown in Block 710 of FIG. 7, as a result of thebroadcast system 100 broadcasting/transmitting the broadcast (e.g., OTAbroadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cable broadcast) in the broadcast area(e.g., DMA), the local device 105 can receive the broadcast (e.g., OTAbroadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cable broadcast). In part, this may bepossible because the local device 105 is located within or proximate thebroadcaster's broadcast area. As the local device 105 receives thebroadcast, the local device 105 scans for and identifies (e.g., via adownloaded or preinstalled module, program, or application) any uniquebroadcast identifiers corresponding to the user and/or the local device105 (Block 715 of FIG. 7). For example, using the user informationassociated with the local device 105 as a key, for example, thedownloaded/preinstalled module, program, or application can be used toidentify (e.g., translate) any unique broadcast identifiers thatcorrespond to the user or local device 105. As will be recognized, avariety of approaches and techniques may be used.

In various embodiments, with regard to OTA broadcasts, an attenuated OTAbroadcast (e.g., an attenuated signal) may still be received and be usedto identify the unique broadcast identifier therein because the signalcarrying the OTA broadcast need only be sufficient to allowidentification of the unique broadcast identifier. In other words, asthe OTA broadcast reaches the local device 105, the signal need only besufficient for the local device 105 to recover the data, not the content(e.g., audio and/or video). This approach may allow for local devices105 that were considered out of range to recover the content of an OTAbroadcast to identify the unique broadcast identifier therein.

In one embodiment, after identifying the unique broadcast identifiercorresponding to the user and/or local device 105 in the broadcast, thelocal device 105 can proceed with authentication. In one embodiment, tobe authenticated, the local device 105 may need to receive the uniquebroadcast identifier (a) from the authentication server 115 and (b) viathe broadcast (e.g., OTA broadcast, DBS broadcast, and/or cablebroadcast) from the broadcast system 100 (Block 720 of FIG. 7).Practically, the local device 105 can receive the unique broadcastidentifier from the authentication server 115 and temporarily store itin memory. The local device 105 can also scan for and identify theunique broadcast identifier corresponding to the user or local device105 in the broadcast. In one embodiment, in response to (a) receivingthe unique broadcast identifier from both the authentication server 115and the broadcast system 100 and (b) confirming/determining that theunique broadcast identifiers are the substantially same (e.g., if thecondition is equal), the local device 105 can be authenticated (Block730 of FIG. 7). If, however, the local device 105 does not receivesubstantially the same unique broadcast identifier from theauthentication server 115 and the broadcast system 100 via the broadcast(e.g., if the condition is not equal), the local device 105 may not beauthenticated (Block 725 of FIG. 7).

In one embodiment, as part of the local device 105 being authenticated,the local device 105 may store the unique broadcast identifier for usein accessing content from the broadcaster via the Internet (or othernetwork). Moreover, the local device 105 (e.g., via a downloaded orpreinstalled module, program, or application) can generate and transmita notification to the authentication server 115 regarding the localdevice's 105 authentication status. The authentication status mayindicate, for example, whether and for which channels the user and/orlocal device 105 have been authenticated. In response to (e.g., after)receiving the notification from the local device 105, the authenticationserver 115 can store the local device's 105 authentication status inassociation the user account corresponding to the user and/or the localdevice 105 (Block 1020 of FIG. 10). As will be recognized, at any giventime, the authentication server 115 may store or have access to theauthentication status of any number of local devices 105.

As will be recognized, when authenticating multiple local devices 105,the authentication server 115 can generate a unique broadcast identifierfor each local device 105 being authenticated. Thus, at any given time,a broadcast system 100 may broadcast/transmit a burst with numerousunique broadcast identifiers, each uniquely identifying an associatedlocal device 105 and corresponding content access rights. Similarly, alocal device 105 may receive numerous unique broadcast identifiers, butonly identify (e.g., be able to translate) the unique broadcastidentifiers to which it corresponds.

The preceding describes a process for identifying a broadcast area(e.g., DMA) and authenticating a local device 105 as being within thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA). In various embodiments, this may allow abroadcaster to confirm that the local device 105 is within or proximatethe broadcaster's broadcast area. Thus, after the local device 105 hasbeen authenticated, the broadcaster can provide content to the localdevice 105 via a network such as the Internet while, for example,complying with various distribution regulations. This also allows thelocal device 105 (or other computing entity) to determine what channels(or other offerings) it can receive.

In embodiment, after identifying the appropriate broadcast area (e.g.,DMA) for a device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) and/orbeing authenticated, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device120) can receive program information (e.g., program listings for OTAbroadcasts) for the broadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located(Block 1505 of FIG. 5). For example, the device (e.g., local device 105or remote device 120) can request program information from variouscomputing entities, including the authentication server 115, a broadcastserver, or a search engine. In one embodiment, each time the device(e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) identifies a new broadcastarea in which it is located (or for which it has been authenticated),the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) can receiveprogram information for that area. For example, if a user travels with adevice (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) from Atlanta, Ga.,to New York, N.Y., when the device (e.g., local device 105 or remotedevice 120) identifies the New York broadcast area as being thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located, the device (e.g.,local device 105 or remote device 120) can receive program information(e.g., program listings) for broadcasts in the New York broadcast area(e.g., New York DMA). As will be recognized, a device (e.g., localdevice 105 or remote device 120) can refresh such program information ona periodic, regular, and/or continuous basis through a variety of otherapproaches and techniques.

4. Content Access for Local Device

In one embodiment, after the appropriate broadcast area (e.g., DMA) hasbeen identified and the local device 105 has been authenticated as beingassociated with the broadcast area (e.g., DMA), the local device 105 canaccess content (e.g., via a user operating the local device 105) via theInternet, for example. As discussed, the content may include televisionbroadcasts, television programs, movies, datacasts, music, images,videos, text, webpages, and/or the like. To access such content, thelocal device 105 may generate a request for the desired content (Block735 of FIG. 7). Generally, the request for content may compriseinformation that can be used to uniquely identify the user and/or localdevice 105. For example, in one embodiment, the request for content mayinclude the unique broadcast identifier. In another embodiment, therequest for content may include user information. In one embodiment, thelocal device 105 transmits the request for content to the authenticationserver 115.

In one embodiment, the request for content is received via theauthentication server 115 (Block 1025 of FIG. 10). As discussed, theauthentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or (b) aparty independent of a broadcaster. Thus, the request for content may bereceived, for example, by the broadcaster or the independent thirdparty. In response to (e.g., after) receiving the request for content,the authentication server 115 may determine whether the unique broadcastidentifier is valid (Block 1030 of FIG. 10), e.g., whether the user(e.g., local device 105) has been authenticated. This may be executed ina variety of ways including by (a) determining whether the uniquebroadcast identifier has expired, (b) identifying the authenticationstatus associated with the corresponding user account, and/or (c) thelike. The authentication server 115 can also determine whether therequested content is content for which the user has access rights basedon, for example, the user's location. In response to (e.g., after) adetermination that the unique broadcast identifier is valid, theauthentication server 115 can allow transmission of the content to thelocal device 105 (Block 1040 of FIG. 10). However, in response to (e.g.,after) a determination that the unique broadcast identifier is notvalid, the authentication server 115 may not allow transmission of thecontent to the local device 105 (Block 1035 of FIG. 10).

The content can be transmitted to the local device 105 in a variety ofways. For example, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 canbe used to transmit the content from the broadcaster to the local device105 via the Internet (or other network). In another embodiment, theauthentication server 115 can transmit a notification to the broadcasterto provide the specified content to the local device 105 via theInternet (or other network), bypassing the authentication server 115 fordistribution of the content. As indicated in Block 740 of FIG. 7, thelocal device 105 can receive the requested content and display, play, orotherwise provide the same via the local device 105.

In one embodiment, the local device 105 may access content (e.g., via auser operating the local device 105) that is currently being broadcast(e.g., via an OTA broadcast, a DBS broadcast, and/or a cable broadcast).For example, the local device may access (e.g., via a user operating thelocal device 105) the television show “Lost” 35 minutes after the Lostbroadcast began. In this example, the authentication server 115 and/orbroadcast system 100 may allow the local device 105 to receive thecontent (e.g., the television show Lost) via a network such as theInternet (a) that is currently being broadcast or (b) from the beginningof the show Lost. As will be recognized, a variety of other approachesand techniques may also be used.

In various embodiments, the described process allows the physicallocation of the user (e.g., local device 105) to be established. Withthe physical location of the user (e.g., local device 105) established,the broadcaster or third party can identify content the user ispermitted to receive via the Internet (or other network). For example,the broadcaster may simply provide (e.g., stream) its broadcast contentvia the Internet (or other network) to authenticated users (e.g.,devices). The broadcaster may also enter into agreements to distributeother content to authenticated users (e.g., devices) over the Internet(or other network) within or associated with the broadcaster's broadcastarea. For example, KCRG-TV9 may enter into an agreement with ESPN todistribute ESPN's live content (e.g., content normally only availablevia a subscription for satellite or cable services) over the Internet(or other network) to authenticated users (e.g., devices) within orassociated with KCRG-TV9's broadcast area. Additionally, broadcasterssuch as KCRG-TV9 may also require a subscription (and fee) to receiveESPN's live content via the Internet (or other network) in KCRG-TV9'sbroadcast area. In addition to providing such content, the broadcastermay provide VOD content, pay-per-view (PPV) content, and a variety ofother content via the Internet (or other network) to authenticated user(e.g., devices). In various embodiments, these concepts may allowbroadcasters to distribute an unlimited amount of content (e.g.,channels) to local devices 105 and remote devices 120 via a network suchas the Internet. These embodiments can be further used to create virtualbroadcast boundaries that, for example, track cable and/or broadcastarea boundaries.

5. Content Access for Remote Device

As indicated, the term remote device may refer to, for example, a devicelocated outside a specific service area when attempting to accesscontent associated with the service area (e.g., a device located outsidea broadcaster's broadcast area when attempting to access thebroadcaster's content). Although, in certain embodiments, the remotedevice 120 may also be located within a broadcaster's broadcast areawhen attempting to access the broadcaster's content. For example, aremote device 120 may be a user's mobile phone, laptop, or televisionthat, at various times, may be within or outside a specific broadcastarea.

In one embodiment, after the local device 105 has been authenticated asbeing within or proximate a broadcast area, the remote device 120 may beable access the broadcaster's content via the Internet, for example,when outside the broadcast area (e.g., DMA). To do so, the remote device120 can first be registered with the local device 105 (Blocks 745, 800of FIGS. 7 and 8). In one embodiment, registration may include inputting(e.g., via a user operating a device) information associated with theremote device 120 into the local device 105 via a module, program, orapplication that was downloaded/preinstalled. In another embodiment,registration may include inputting (e.g., via a user operating a device)information associated with the remote device 120 via a webpage of anindependent third party. The information associated with the remotedevice 120 may include information that uniquely identifies the remotedevice 120, such as a MAC address or other device identifier. Suchinformation may be stored, for example, by the authentication server 115in association with a user's account or by a corresponding local device105.

In one embodiment, after the remote device 120 has been registered, theremote device 120 may generate and transmit a request for the uniquebroadcast identifier to the local device 105 (Block 805 of FIG. 8). Thelocal device 105 can receive the request from the remote device 120,and, in turn, transmit the unique broadcast identifier to the remotedevice 120 (Blocks 750, 755 of FIG. 7). As indicated in Block 810 ofFIG. 8, the remote device 120 can receive the unique broadcastidentifier transmitted from the local device 105. As will be recognized,these functions may be executed, for example, via downloaded orpreinstalled modules, programs, or applications on the local and remotedevices 105, 120.

In one embodiment, after receiving the unique broadcast identifier, toaccess such content, the remote device 120 may generate a request forthe desired content (Block 815 of FIG. 8). Generally, the request forcontent may comprise information that can be used to uniquely identifythe user, local device 105, and/or remote device 120. For example, inone embodiment, the request for content includes the unique broadcastidentifier. The request for content can be transmitted to and receivedby the authentication server 115 (Block 1025 of FIG. 10). As discussed,the authentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or(b) a party independent of a broadcaster. Thus, the request for contentmay be received, for example, by the broadcaster or the independentthird party. In response to (e.g., after) receiving the request forcontent, the authentication server 115 determines whether the uniquebroadcast identifier is valid (Block 1030 of FIG. 10), e.g., whether theuser (e.g., local device 105) has been authenticated. This may beexecuted in a variety of ways including by (a) determining whether theunique broadcast identifier has expired, (b) identifying theauthentication status associated with the corresponding user account,and/or (c) the like. The authentication server 115 can also determinewhether the requested content is content for which the user has accessrights based on, for example, the user's location. In response to (e.g.,after) a determination that the unique broadcast identifier is valid,the authentication server 115 can allow transmission of the content tothe remote device 120 (Block 1040 of FIG. 10). However, in response to(e.g., after) a determination that the unique broadcast identifier isnot valid, the authentication server 115 may not allow transmission ofthe content to the remote device 120 (Block 1035 of FIG. 10).

The content can be transmitted to the remote device 120 in a variety ofways. For example, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 canbe used to transmit the content from the broadcaster to the remotedevice 120 via the Internet (or other network). In anther embodiment,the authentication server 115 can transmit a notification to thebroadcaster to provide the specified content to the remote device 120via the Internet (or other network), bypassing the authentication server115 for distribution of the content. As indicated in Block 820 of FIG.8, the remote device 120 can receive the requested content and display,play, or otherwise provide the same via the remote device 120.

In various embodiments, because the local device 105 has beenauthenticated as having a presence within or proximate the broadcaster'sbroadcast area, the user's registered remote devices 120 can be used toaccess content from the broadcaster when outside the broadcast area(e.g., DMA). For example, a user may take her mobile phone or laptop ona business trip or vacation outside the broadcaster's broadcast area. Insuch a case, the described authentication can allow the user (or otherparties) to access content (e.g., stream a newscast or televisionprogram) from the broadcaster even when outside the broadcaster'sbroadcast area. This may allow the user to access a broadcaster'scontent regardless of location and/or device.

In one embodiment, the user may be limited in the number of remotedevices 120 that can be registered for access to content. For example,the user may only be able to register five devices with the local device105. In various embodiments, this may limit fraud attempts by users inregistering friends' or relatives' remote devices 120 for access tocontent outside a specific broadcast area.

IV. EXAMPLE 2 Broadcast Area Identification and Authentication

Although the portions of following describe an implementation using anOTA broadcast system, embodiments of the present invention may use avariety of broadcast systems, including a cable broadcast system, asatellite broadcast system, and/or a variety of other systems fortransmitting broadcasts. Accordingly, the described examples areprovided for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken in anyway as limiting embodiments of the present invention to the examplesprovided.

1. User Registration

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the process begins by alocal device 105 (e.g., via a user operating a local device 105)generating a request to register a user to access a broadcaster'scontent via a network such as the Internet (Block 1100 of FIG. 11). Therequest may be a request, for example, to register the user directlywith a specific broadcaster (e.g., KCRG-TV9) or an independent thirdparty representing multiple broadcasters (e.g., www.syncbak.com). In oneembodiment, the request to register the user may be executed via amodule, program, or application that has been downloaded or preinstalledon the local device 105. In another embodiment, the request to registerthe user may be generated via a webpage of a broadcaster or anindependent third party.

In one embodiment, the request to register the user includes userinformation. The user information may include a variety of informationassociated with the user and/or the local device 105. For example, theuser information may include (a) the user's first and last name, (b) theuser's address, (c) the user's zip code, (d) the user's telephonenumber, (e) a username (f) a charge card number, (g) a local deviceidentifier, e.g., Media Access Control MAC address or an InternetProtocol IP address, and/or (h) the like. The user information may beused to uniquely identify the user and/or the local device 105.

As shown in FIG. 14, in one embodiment, the request to register the useris sent to and received by an authentication server 115 (Block 1400 ofFIG. 14). As previously discussed, the physical location and operationof the authentication server 115 may vary. For example, theauthentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or (b) anindependent third party. Irrespective of ownership and/or operation, inresponse to receiving the request to register the user, theauthentication server 115 can create a user account with the userinformation and electronically store at least a portion of the userinformation in association with the user account (Block 1405 of FIG.14).

It should be noted that in various embodiments, the user account may beused to not only store information associated with the user and thelocal device 105, but additional local devices 105 (e.g., a personalcomputer and a television in the user's home) and/or remote devices 120(e.g., a device located outside a broadcaster's broadcast area whenattempting to access the broadcaster's content, such as a mobile phoneor laptop). The user account and/or user information may be used toprovide content to the local device 105 and/or remote device 120 via theInternet (or other network). In one embodiment, to provide content fromthe broadcaster to the local device 105 and/or remote device 120 via theInternet, for example, the local device 105 can be authenticated asbeing within or proximate the broadcaster's broadcast area.

2. Token Generation and Token Broadcast

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the identification andauthentication process may begin with the broadcast system 100. Asindicated in Block 1300 of FIG. 13, the broadcast system 100 cangenerate a token for insertion into an OTA broadcast, which may bereferred to as a first OTA broadcast. In another embodiment, instead ofgenerating the token, the broadcast system 100 can receive the tokenfrom a computing entity such as the authentication server 115. The tokenmay comprise data or other information that uniquely identifies thebroadcast system 100, the broadcaster, the broadcaster's broadcast area,a television channel associated with the broadcaster, and/or the like.In one embodiment, the token may be a unique alphanumeric identifierthat identifies the broadcast system 100 broadcasting/transmitting thefirst OTA broadcast. Continuing with the above example, the token may bea unique alphanumeric identifier that identifies KCRG-TV9 in CedarRapids, Ia.

As indicated in Block 1305 of FIG. 13, after the token is generated, thebroadcast system 100 can insert the token into the first OTA broadcast.In one embodiment, the broadcast system 100 may insert the token intothe first OTA broadcast using the program and system informationprotocol PSIP delivery schema or any of a variety of other approachesand techniques. For example, the broadcast system 100 may insert thetoken into the first OTA broadcast as an ancillary data stream.

In one embodiment, after inserting the token into the first OTAbroadcast, the broadcast system 100 broadcasts/transmits the first OTAbroadcast comprising the token (Block 1310 of FIG. 13). The first OTAbroadcast can be broadcast/transmitted in the broadcaster's broadcastarea (e.g., DMA) as a one-to-many broadcast. As will be recognized, thefirst OTA broadcast may be relayed, repeated, or otherwise transmittedvia multiple broadcast systems 100 or devices within the broadcast area(e.g., DMA). Thus, the first OTA broadcast can be received by any localdevices 105 within or proximate the broadcaster's broadcast area (e.g.,DMA).

3. Token Reception and Token Identification

In various embodiments, an attenuated OTA broadcast (e.g., an attenuatedsignal) may still be received and used to identify the token thereinbecause the signal carrying the OTA broadcast need only be sufficient toallow identification of the token. In other words, as the OTA broadcast(e.g., OTA signal) reaches the local device 105, the OTA broadcast needonly be sufficient for the local device 105 to recover the data, not thecontent (e.g., audio and/or video).

This approach may allow for local devices 105 that were considered outof range to recover the content of an OTA broadcast to receive the OTAbroadcast and identify the token therein.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a local device 105 may receiveOTA broadcasts from any number of broadcast systems 100. For instance, alocal device 105 located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa may simultaneouslyreceive 12-15 OTA broadcasts. In one embodiment, each OTA broadcast maycomprise a token that identifies its associated broadcast system 100,broadcaster, broadcaster's broadcast area, television channel, and/orthe like. Thus, at any time, the local device 105 may receive many OTAbroadcasts from various broadcast systems 100 and identify the tokensrespectively broadcast/transmitted therein.

In one embodiment, as a result of the broadcast system 100broadcasting/transmitting the first OTA broadcast, the local device 105receives the first OTA broadcast (Block 1105 of FIG. 11). In part, thisis possible because the local device 105 is located within or proximatethe broadcaster's broadcast area. As the local device receives OTAbroadcasts, the local device 105 scans for and identifies (e.g., via adownloaded or preinstalled module, program, or application) tokens inthe OTA broadcasts it receives (Block 1110 of FIG. 11). Continuing withthe above example, the local device 105 scans for and identifies thetoken in the first OTA broadcast identifying KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids,Ia. In one embodiment, this can be used to identify the appropriatebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) for the local device 105 based on itslocation.

In various embodiments, receipt of the first OTA broadcast andidentification of the token may not be accessible to the user of thelocal device 105. By limiting access to the token, the broadcaster canlimit erroneous authentications of local devices 105. As will berecognized, a variety of techniques and approaches may be used to limituser access to this part of the process.

In one embodiment, after identifying the token in the first OTAbroadcast, the local device 105 transmits the token and at least aportion of the user information to the authentication server 115 via anetwork such as the Internet (Block 1115 of FIG. 11). As indicated, theuser information may include (a) the user's first and last name, (b) theuser's address, (c) the user's zip code, (d) the user's telephonenumber, (e) a username (f) a charge card number, (g) a local deviceidentifier, e.g., MAC address or IP address, and/or (h) the like. Thetoken and user information can then be used by the authentication server115 as part of the process in authenticating the local device 105.

4. Unique Broadcast Identifier Generation

As indicated in Block 1410 of FIG. 14, in one embodiment, theauthentication server 115 is transmitted and receives the token and theuser information from the local device 105. The authentication server115 can then generate a unique broadcast identifier based at least inpart, for example, on the token and the user information it receivesfrom the local device 105 (Block 1415 of FIG. 14).

As described, the token can be used to uniquely identify the broadcastsystem 100, the broadcaster, the broadcaster's broadcast area, atelevision channel associated with the broadcaster, and/or the like.Similarly, the user information can be used to uniquely identify theuser and/or the corresponding local device 105. Thus, in one embodiment,the unique broadcast identifier generated by the authentication server115 can be used to uniquely identify the user, the local device 105,and/or the content (e.g., channels or broadcasters) for which the localdevice 105 is being or has been authenticated. For example, the uniquebroadcast identifier may comprise 12 characters. As shown in FIGS. 16Aand 16B, the first nine characters of the unique broadcast identifiermay comprise a user/local device portion. The user/local device portionmay be used to uniquely identify the user and/or the local device 105.For instance, 974.468.210 may be the first nine characters of the uniquebroadcast identifier that uniquely identify the user and/or the localdevice 105. The last three characters of the unique broadcast identifiermay comprise a content portion. The content portion of the uniquebroadcast identifier may be used to identify the content (e.g., channelsor broadcasters) for which the local device 105 is being or has beenauthenticated. For example, 001 may be the last 3 characters used in theunique broadcast identifier to identify the content (e.g., channels orbroadcasters). Thus, continuing with the above example, 001 may be usedto represent KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids, Ia. Accordingly, if the localdevice 105 is authenticated with a unique broadcast identifier of974.468.210.001, the unique broadcast identifier may be used to indicatethat the user and/or local device 105 has access rights to KCRG-TV9'scontent via the Internet (or other network).

Additionally, given that each broadcaster in the United States may have19.4 megabits per second of spectrum available for broadcast, thebroadcaster may be able to simultaneously provide (a) content that isfree for user consumption and (b) premium content for which the userpays a fee (e.g., a micro-transaction fee) to access. In one embodiment,the unique broadcast identifier may be used as a key, for example, toaccess any premium content for which the user has paid.

In one embodiment, after generating the unique broadcast identifier, theauthentication server 115 transmits the unique broadcast identifier toboth the broadcast system 100 and the local device 105 (Block 1420 ofFIG. 14). As indicated in Block 1120 of FIG. 11, the local device 105receives the unique broadcast identifier from the authentication server115 and stores it, for example, in memory. Similarly, as indicated inBlock 1315 of FIG. 13, the broadcast system 100 receives the uniquebroadcast identifier from the authentication server 115 forbroadcast/transmission via a second OTA broadcast.

5. Broadcast Area Identification and Authentication

As indicated, the (a) local device 105 can receive the unique broadcastidentifier from the authentication server 115 and (b) broadcast system100 can receive the unique broadcast identifier from the authenticationserver 115. In one embodiment, the broadcast system 100 can then insertthe unique broadcast identifier into a second OTA broadcast (Block 1320of FIG. 13). This may be executed, for example, using the PSIP deliveryschema or any of a variety of other approaches and techniques. Thus, aspreviously described with regard to the first OTA broadcast, thebroadcast system 100 can insert the unique broadcast identifier into thesecond OTA broadcast as an ancillary data stream. After inserting theunique broadcast identifier into the second OTA broadcast, the broadcastsystem 100 broadcasts/transmits the second OTA broadcast (Block 1325 ofFIG. 13). Similar to the first OTA broadcast, the broadcast system 100broadcasts/transmits the second OTA broadcast as a one-to-manybroadcast. As will be recognized, the second OTA broadcast may berelayed, repeated, or otherwise transmitted via multiple broadcastsystems 100 or devices within the broadcast area (e.g., DMA). Thus, thesecond OTA broadcast can be received by any number of local devices 105within the broadcast area (e.g., DMA).

In one embodiment, as a result of the broadcast system 100broadcasting/transmitting the second OTA broadcast in the broadcast area(e.g., DMA), the local device 105 can receive the second OTA broadcast(Block 1125 of FIG. 11). As the local device 105 receives the second OTAbroadcast, the local device 105 scans for and identifies any uniquebroadcast identifiers corresponding to the user and/or the local device105 (Block 1130 of FIG. 11). For example, using the user informationassociated with the local device 105 as a key, for example, thedownloaded/preinstalled module, program, or application can be used toidentify (e.g., translate) any unique broadcast identifiers thatcorrespond to the user or local device 105.

In one embodiment, after identifying the unique broadcast identifiercorresponding to the user or local device 105 in the second OTAbroadcast, the local device 105 can proceed with authentication. In oneembodiment, to be authenticated, the local device 105 needs to receivethe unique broadcast identifier (a) from the authentication server 115and (b) via the second OTA broadcast from the broadcast system 100(Block 1135 of FIG. 11). Practically, the local device 105 can receivethe unique broadcast identifier from the authentication server 115 andtemporarily stores it in memory. The local device 105 can also scan forand identify the unique broadcast identifier corresponding to user orlocal device 105 in the second OTA broadcast. In response to (a)receiving the unique broadcast identifier from both the authenticationserver 115 and the broadcast system 100 and (b) confirming/determiningthat the unique broadcast identifiers are the substantially same (e.g.,if the condition is equal), the local device 105 can be authenticated(Block 1145 of FIG. 11). If, however, the local device 105 does notreceive the same unique broadcast identifier from the authenticationserver 115 and the broadcast system 100 via the second OTA broadcast(e.g., if the condition is not equal), the local device 105 may not beauthenticated (Block 1140).

In one embodiment, as part of the local device 105 being authenticated,the local device 105 stores the unique broadcast identifier for use inaccessing content from the broadcaster via the Internet (or othernetwork). Moreover, the local device 105 (e.g., via a downloaded orpreinstalled module, program, or application) can generate and transmita notification to the authentication server 115 regarding the localdevice's 105 authentication status. The authentication status mayindicate whether and for which channels the user and/or local device 105has been authenticated. In response to receiving the notification fromthe local device 105, the authentication server 115 can store the localdevice's 105 authentication status in association the user accountcorresponding to the user and/or the local device 105 (Block 1425 ofFIG. 14). As will be recognized, at any given time, the authenticationserver 115 may store or have access to the authentication statuses ofany number of local devices 105.

In one embodiment, as a further measure of protection, the broadcastermay require the local device 105 to re-authenticate at predeterminedtimes to receive continued access to its content via the Internet (orother network). For example, the broadcaster may require the localdevice 105 to be re-authenticated periodically, such as every 30minutes, once a day, or once a week. In this embodiment, the uniquebroadcast identifier may automatically expire after a predeterminedperiod of time. In another embodiment, the broadcaster may requirecontinuous re-authentication of the local device 105.

As will be recognized, when authenticating multiple local devices 105,the authentication server 115 can generate a unique broadcast identifierfor each local device 105 being authenticated. Thus, at any given time,the broadcast system 100 may broadcast/transmit a burst with numerousunique broadcast identifiers, each uniquely identifying an associatedlocal device 105 and corresponding content access rights. Similarly, alocal device 105 may receive numerous unique broadcast identifiers, butonly identify (e.g., be able to translate) the unique broadcastidentifiers to which it corresponds. As will be recognized, a single OTAbroadcast may include a token(s) and any number of unique broadcastidentifiers.

The preceding describes a process for identifying a broadcast area(e.g., DMA) and authenticating a local device 105 as being within thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA). In various embodiments, this may allow abroadcaster to confirm that the local device 105 is within or proximatethe broadcaster's broadcast area. Thus, after the local device 105 hasbeen authenticated, the broadcaster can provide content to the localdevice 105 via a network such as the Internet while complying withvarious distribution regulations. This also allows the local device 105(or other computing entity) to determine what channels (or otherofferings) it can receive.

In embodiment, after identifying the appropriate broadcast area (e.g.,DMA) for a device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) and/orbeing authenticated, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device120) can receive program information (e.g., program listings for OTAbroadcasts) for the broadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located(Block 1505 of FIG. 5). For example, the device (e.g., local device 105or remote device 120) can request program information from variouscomputing entities, including the authentication server 115, a broadcastserver, or a search engine. In one embodiment, each time the device(e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) identifies a new broadcastarea (or is authenticated or re-authenticated) in which it is located(or for which it has been authenticated), the device (e.g., local device105 or remote device 120) can receive program information for that area.For example, if a user travels with a device (e.g., local device 105 orremote device 120) from Atlanta, Ga., to New York, N.Y., when the device(e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) identifies the New Yorkbroadcast area as being the broadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it islocated, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) canreceive program information (e.g., program listings) for broadcasts inthe New York broadcast area (e.g., New York DMA). As will be recognized,a device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) can refresh suchprogram information on a periodic, regular, and/or continuous basisthrough a variety of other approaches and techniques.

6. Content Access for Local Device

In one embodiment, after the appropriate broadcast area (e.g., DMA) hasbeen identified and the local device 105 has been authenticated as beingassociated with the broadcast area (e.g., DMA), the local device 105 canaccess content (e.g., via a user operating the local device 105) via theInternet, for example. As discussed, the content may include televisionbroadcasts, television programs, movies, datacasts, music, images,videos, text, webpages, and/or the like. To access such content, thelocal device 105 may generate a request for the desired content (Block1150 of FIG. 11). Generally, the request for content may compriseinformation that can be used to uniquely identify the user and/or localdevice 105. For example, in one embodiment, the request for contentincludes the unique broadcast identifier. In another embodiment, therequest for content includes user information. In one embodiment, thelocal device 105 transmits the request for content to the authenticationserver 115.

In one embodiment, the request for content is received via theauthentication server 115 (Block 1430 of FIG. 14). As discussed, theauthentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or (b) aparty independent of a broadcaster. Thus, the request for content may bereceived, for example, by the broadcaster or the independent thirdparty. In response to receiving the request for content, theauthentication server 115 determines whether the unique broadcastidentifier is valid (Block 1435 of FIG. 14), e.g., whether the user(e.g., local device 105) has been authenticated. This may be executed ina variety of ways including by (a) determining whether the uniquebroadcast identifier has expired, (b) identifying the authenticationstatus associated with the corresponding user account, and/or (c) thelike. The authentication server 115 can also determine whether therequested content is content for which the user has access rights basedon, for example, the user's location. In response to a determinationthat the unique broadcast identifier is valid, the authentication server115 can allow transmission of the content to the local device 105 (Block1445 of FIG. 14). However, in response to a determination that theunique broadcast identifier is not valid, the authentication server 115may not allow transmission of the content to the local device 105 (Block1440 of FIG. 14).

The content can be transmitted to the local device 105 in a variety ofways. For example, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 canbe used to transmit the content from the broadcaster to the local device105 via the Internet (or other network). In another embodiment, theauthentication server 115 can transmit a notification to the broadcasterto provide the specified content to the local device 105 via theInternet (or other network), bypassing the authentication server 115 fordistribution of the content. As indicated in Block 1155 of FIG. 11, thelocal device 105 can receive the requested content and display, play, orotherwise provide the same via the local device 105.

In one embodiment, the local device 105 may access content (e.g., via auser operating the local device 105) that is currently being broadcastOTA. For example, the local device may access (e.g., via a useroperating the local device 105) the television show “Lost” 35 minutesafter the Lost OTA broadcast began. In this example, the authenticationserver 115 and/or broadcast system 100 may allow the local device 105 toreceive the content (e.g., the television show Lost) via a network suchas the Internet (a) that is currently being broadcast OTA or (b) fromthe beginning of the show Lost. As will be recognized, a variety ofother approaches and techniques may also be used.

In various embodiments, the described process allows the physicallocation of the user (e.g., local device 105) to be established. Withthe physical location of the user (e.g., local device 105) established,the broadcaster or third party can identify content the user ispermitted to receive via the Internet (or other network). For example,the broadcaster may simply provide (e.g., stream) its OTA content viathe Internet (or other network) to authenticated users (e.g., devices).The broadcaster may also enter into agreements to distribute othercontent to authenticated users (e.g., devices) over the Internet (orother network) within or associated with the broadcaster's broadcastarea. For example, KCRG-TV9 may enter into an agreement with ESPN todistribute ESPN's live content (e.g., content normally only availablevia a subscription for satellite or cable services) over the Internet(or other network) to authenticated users (e.g., devices) within orassociated with KCRG-TV9's broadcast area. Additionally, broadcasterssuch as KCRG-TV9 may also require a subscription (and fee) to receiveESPN's live content via the Internet (or other network) in KCRG-TV9'sbroadcast area. In addition to providing such content, the broadcastermay provide VOD content, pay-per-view PPVcontent, and a variety of othercontent via the Internet (or other network) to authenticated user (e.g.,devices). In various embodiments, these concepts may allow broadcastersto distribute an unlimited amount of content (e.g., channels) to localdevices 105 and remote devices 120 via a network such as the Internet.These embodiments can be further used to create virtual broadcastboundaries that, for example, track cable and/or broadcast areaboundaries.

7. Content Access for Remote Device

As indicated, the term remote device may refer to, for example, a devicelocated outside a specific service area when attempting to accesscontent associated with the service area (e.g., a device located outsidea broadcaster's broadcast area when attempting to access thebroadcaster's content). In one embodiment, after the local device 105has been authenticated as being within or proximate a broadcast area,the remote device 120 may be able access the broadcaster's content viathe Internet, for example, when outside the broadcast area (e.g., DMA).To do so, the remote device 120 can first be registered with the localdevice 105 (Blocks 1160, 1200 of FIGS. 11 and 12). In one embodiment,registration may include inputting (e.g., via a user operating a device)information associated with the remote device 120 into the local device105 via a module, program, or application that wasdownloaded/preinstalled. In another embodiment, registration may includeinputting (e.g., via a user operating a device) information associatedwith the remote device 120 via a webpage of an independent third party.The information associated with the remote device 120 may includeinformation that uniquely identifies the remote device 120, such as aMAC address or other device identifier.

In one embodiment, after the remote device 120 has been registered, theremote device 120 may generate and transmit a request for the uniquebroadcast identifier to the local device 105 (Block 1205 of FIG. 12).The local device 105 can receive the request from the remote device 120,and, in turn, transmit the unique broadcast identifier to the remotedevice 120 (Blocks 1165, 1170 of FIG. 11). As indicated in Block 1210 ofFIG. 12, the remote device 120 can receive the unique broadcastidentifier transmitted from the local device 105. As will be recognized,these functions may be executed, for example, via downloaded orpreinstalled modules, programs, or applications on the local and remotedevices 105, 120.

In one embodiment, after receiving the unique broadcast identifier, toaccess such content, the remote device 120 may generate a request forthe desired content (Block 1215 of FIG. 12). Generally, the request forcontent may comprise information that can be used to uniquely identifythe user, local device 105, and/or remote device 120. For example, inone embodiment, the request for content includes the unique broadcastidentifier. The request for content can be transmitted to and receivedby the authentication server 115 (Block 1430 of FIG. 14). As discussed,the authentication server 115 may be operated by (a) a broadcaster or(b) a party independent of a broadcaster. Thus, the request for contentmay be received, for example, by the broadcaster or the independentthird party. In response to receiving the request for content, theauthentication server 115 determines whether the unique broadcastidentifier is valid (Block 1435 of FIG. 14), e.g., whether the user(e.g., local device 105) has been authenticated. This may be executed ina variety of ways including by (a) determining whether the uniquebroadcast identifier has expired, (b) identifying the authenticationstatus associated with the corresponding user account, and/or (c) thelike. The authentication server 115 can also determine whether therequested content is content for which the user has access rights basedon, for example, the user's location. In response to a determinationthat the unique broadcast identifier is valid, the authentication server115 can allow transmission of the content to the remote device 120(Block 1445 of FIG. 14). However, in response to a determination thatthe unique broadcast identifier is not valid, the authentication server115 may not allow transmission of the content to the remote device 120(Block 1440 of FIG. 14).

The content can be transmitted to the remote device 120 in a variety ofways. For example, in one embodiment, the authentication server 115 canbe used to transmit the content from the broadcaster to the remotedevice 120 via the Internet (or other network). In anther embodiment,the authentication server 115 can transmit a notification to thebroadcaster to provide the specified content to the remote device 120via the Internet (or other network), bypassing the authentication server115 for distribution of the content. As indicated in Block 1220 of FIG.12, the remote device 120 can receive the requested content and display,play, or otherwise provide the same via the remote device 120.

In various embodiments, because the local device 105 has beenauthenticated as having a presence within or proximate the broadcaster'sbroadcast area, the user's registered remote devices 120 can be used toaccess content from the broadcaster when outside the broadcast area(e.g., DMA). For example, a user may take her mobile phone or laptop ona business trip or vacation outside the broadcaster's broadcast area. Insuch a case, the described authentication can allow the user (or otherparties) to access content (e.g., stream a newscast or televisionprogram) from the broadcaster even when outside the broadcaster'sbroadcast area. This may allow the user to access a broadcaster'scontent regardless of location and/or device.

In one embodiment, the user may be limited in the number of remotedevices 120 that can be registered for access to content. For example,the user may only be able to register 5 devices with the local device105. In various embodiments, this may limit fraud attempts by users inregistering friends' or relatives' remote devices 120 for access tocontent outside a specific broadcast area.

V. EXAMPLE 3 Broadcast Area Identification

Although the portions of following describe an implementation using anOTA broadcast system, embodiments of the present invention may use avariety of broadcast systems, including a cable broadcast system, asatellite broadcast system, and/or a variety of other systems fortransmitting broadcasts. Accordingly, the described examples areprovided for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken in anyway as limiting embodiments of the present invention to the examplesprovided.

1. Broadcast Area Identification

In one embodiment, a device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device120) can be used to identify the broadcast area in which it is locatedon a periodic, regular, and/or continuous basis (Block 1500 of FIG. 5).To do so, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) canfirst determine its location using a variety of methods. For instance,the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) can determineits location by determining its position relative to GPS satellites, viatriangulation with various communication points (e.g., cellular towersor Wi-Fi access points), and/or via an Internet Protocol (IP) addressassociated with the device. In one embodiment, after determining itslocation, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) canidentify the appropriate broadcast area (e.g., DMA) associated with itslocation. For example, if a device (e.g., local device 105 or remotedevice 120) determines that it is located in Windermere, Florida, thedevice may then identify the Orlando-Daytona broadcast area as thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located. This also allows thedevice (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) to determine whatchannels (or other offerings) it can receive. As will be recognized, avariety of other approaches and techniques can be used to identify theappropriate broadcast area (e.g., DMA) for a device (e.g., local device105 or remote device 120).

In embodiment, after identifying the appropriate broadcast area (e.g.,DMA) for a device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120), thedevice (e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) can receive programinformation (e.g., program listings for OTA broadcasts) for thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located (Block 1505 of FIG.5). For example, the device (e.g., local device 105 or remote device120) can request program information from various computing entities,including the authentication server 115, a broadcast server, or a searchengine. In one embodiment, each time the device (e.g., local device 105or remote device 120) identifies a new broadcast area (or isauthenticated or re-authenticated) in which it is located, the device(e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) can receive programinformation for that area. For example, if a user travels with a device(e.g., local device 105 or remote device 120) from Atlanta, Georgia, toNew York, New York, when the device (e.g., local device 105 or remotedevice 120) identifies the New York broadcast area as being thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) in which it is located, the device (e.g.,local device 105 or remote device 120) can receive program information(e.g., program listings) for OTA broadcasts in the New York broadcastarea (e.g., New York DMA). As will be recognized, a device (e.g., localdevice 105 or remote device 120) can refresh or update such programinformation on a periodic, regular, and/or continuous basis through avariety of approaches and techniques.

2. Content Access for Local Device

In one embodiment, a local device 105 can access content by merelyreceiving an OTA broadcast, for example (Block 1510 of FIG. 5). Forinstance, a local device 105 located in Windermere, Fla., can access OTAcontent in the Orlando-Daytona broadcast area by adjusting its tuner tothe appropriate frequency. The content may include televisionbroadcasts, television programs, movies, datacasts, music, images,videos, text, webpages, and/or the like. The local device 105 canreceive the content and display, play, or otherwise provide the same viathe local device 105.

Additionally or alternatively, in embodiment, with program informationfor a broadcast area (e.g., DMA), the device (e.g., local device 105 orremote device 120) can access content using the program information. Forexample, program information can be presented via a program guide to auser of the device. The user (e.g., operating the device) can thenselect a program that is airing to automatically adjust the device'stuner to the appropriate frequency. Similarly, the program informationcan also be used to set reminders and/or record certain content. As willbe recognized, a variety of other approaches and techniques can be usedto receive and/or access content, including those described previously.

VI. Tuning Concepts

Portions of following describe implementations of “tuning” concepts thatcan be used with embodiments of the present invention. As will berecognized, the described examples are provided for illustrativepurposes only and should not be taken in any way as limiting embodimentsof the present invention to the examples provided.

In one embodiment, after a device's location has been identified (and,in some embodiments, authenticated as being associated with a broadcastarea), a variety of approaches and techniques can be used to “tune” to(or otherwise access) content.

1. Social Media Tuning

With the ubiquity of social media platforms and other electronic meansof communication, users can share information regarding content forconsumption to almost anyone at anytime—generically referred to asshared content (e.g., content, content available for consumption). Forexample, in one embodiment, a Twitter user can Tweet (e.g., via the useroperating a device) about a television series, a program, an event(including a sporting event), a documentary, a movie, or a commercial,for example, that has aired, is airing, or will be aired. In oneexample, a Twitter user in Los Angeles may Tweet that the Vikings gameis one of the best he has ever seen. Similarly, a Facebook user in Miamimay post (e.g., via the user operating a device) on her wall that acertain guest will appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday andthat she hopes everyone will tune in. The post may even include a linkto the webpage for The Ellen DeGeneres Show with the correspondinginformation. In addition to these social media platforms, informationregarding shared content can be communicated in a variety of other waysas well. For example, such information may be communicated via varioustypes of messages, including (a) email, (b) messages of variousmessaging formats, such as Short Message Service (SMS) and MultimediaMessaging Service (MMS), (c) advertisements on web sites, (d) statusupdates on social networking websites (e.g., Facebook, Google+), (e)selectable text or a selectable graphic regarding content beingcurrently aired, (f) Tweets, and/or (g) the like.

In one embodiment, if an appropriate broadcast area has been identified,a user (e.g., the local or remote device 105, 120) can be automaticallytuned to the shared content (e.g., the content identified in the Tweet,post, email, and/or the like). For example, if a user views a Tweet orpost on a local or remote device 105, 120, for example, and scrollsover, hovers over, mouses over, selects, or clicks on text, a graphic,or a hyperlink in the Tweet or post, the local or remote device 105, 120may cause display of an option for the user to select to “tune” to theshared content, e.g., to identify and receive the content forconsumption. Continuing with the above example, if the user scrollsover, hovers over, mouses over, selects, or clicks on text in the Tweetabout the Vikings game (which may even include a link to informationabout the game), the local or remote device 105, 120 may cause displayof a dialog box asking the user if she would like to consume the contentcontained in the Tweet (or it may be performed automatically). In oneembodiment, in response to the user requesting to consume (or find outmore about) the shared content, for example, the local or remote device105 can initiate a search for shared content corresponding to the Tweet.

In one embodiment, the local or remote device 105 can initiate searchesfor content with any of a variety of computing entities, including theauthentication server 115, a broadcast server, or a search engine. Forexample, the local or remote device 105 can transmit text, metadata,images, links, or any other information contained in the communication(e.g., Tweet, email, SMS) regarding the shared content to, for example,the authentication server 115, a broadcast server, or a search engine.The local or remote device 105 may also transmit information about thebroadcast area (e.g., DMA) corresponding to the device, such as the nameor identification number of the broadcast area. In response to receivingthe text, metadata, images, links, or any other information, forexample, contained in the communication (e.g., Tweet, email, SMS)regarding the shared content, an appropriate computing entity (e.g.,authentication server 115, broadcast server, search engine) can searchfor the shared content. Continuing with the above example, theappropriate computing entity may receive the text of the Tweet (ormetadata from the Tweet) that includes the word “Vikings” and “game.” Inone embodiment, the appropriate computing entity (e.g., authenticationserver 115, broadcast server, search engine) can then search for contentassociated with those terms. The search may include searching, forexample, the Internet, search engines, program listings, and/oravailable grid information for a network, a broadcaster, and/or thelike. As will be recognized, a variety of searching techniques andapproaches may be used.

In one embodiment, the search by the appropriate computing entity (e.g.,authentication server 115, broadcast server, search engine) may identifyone or more television series, programs, events (including a sportingevent), documentaries, movies, and/or the like associated with theshared content. The identified content can then be used by theappropriate computing entity (e.g., authentication server 115, broadcastserver, search engine), for example, to determine the networks,broadcasters, and/or the like authorized to distribute the sharedcontent in the user's broadcast area (if not provided). For example,there may be 210 different broadcasts of ABC at any given time, e.g., aLos Angles broadcast, an Atlanta broadcast, and a Des Moines broadcast.Thus, the appropriate computing entity (e.g., authentication server 115,broadcast server, search engine) may not only need to identify theshared content, but also determine the appropriate network orbroadcaster distributing the content in a user's broadcast area (and thedate and time of the airing), if not provided. Continuing with the aboveexample, the appropriate computing entity (e.g., authentication server115, broadcast server, search engine) may need to identify theappropriate content in the Tweet from the user in Los Angles viewing theVikings game and identify the appropriate broadcaster distributing thegame in Des Moines, Ia., for example.

In another embodiment, the device (local or remote device 105, 120) maysearch program information it has received. In other words, the device(local or remote device 105, 120) may perform a local search on programinformation without transmitting the search externally. As will berecognized, a variety of searching techniques and approaches may beused.

In one embodiment, after (a) identifying one or more television series,programs, events (including a sporting event), documentaries, movies,and/or the like associated with the shared content and (b) determiningthe networks, broadcasters, and/or the like authorized to distribute thecontent in the user's broadcast area, the appropriate computing entity(e.g., authentication server 115, broadcast server, search engine) cangenerate a uniform resource identifier (URI) or a uniform resourcelocator (URL) for the shared content accessible, for example, todevices/users associated with the corresponding broadcast area. In oneembodiment, if more than one television series, program, event(including a sporting event), documentary, movie, and/or the likeassociated with the shared content is identified, the appropriatecomputing entity (authentication server 115, broadcast server, or searchengine) can generate a unique URI or URL for each one identified. TheURI and/or URL may also include a text description of the contentassociated with the link.

The URI or URL, for example, can then be (a) sent to and (b) accessed orselected by the user (e.g., via the user operating a local or remotedevice 105, 120) to receive or access the content from the appropriatebroadcaster via the Internet (or other network) or OTA. For example, theURI may be a link to access the Vikings game for a user in Des Moines,Ia., through KCRG-TV9's website:www.kcrg.com/Vikings_(—)10_(—)15_(—)2013. Similarly, the URL may be alink (www.syncbak.com/B001BZ) along with text that reads “select thelink to view the Vikings game.” In one embodiment, the URI or URL may beused to initiate a communication (e.g., a request) with a particularbroadcaster to receive the content from the broadcaster, as discussedpreviously. In response, the broadcaster can provide the content to thelocal or remote device 105, 120 via the Internet, for example. Inanother embodiment, such a link may be accessed by a local or remotedevice 105, 120 in a manner that is transparent to the user (e.g.,automatically opening a stream for the shared content). In yet anotherembodiment, the URI or URL may be used to simply tune the device (e.g.,tune to the appropriate OTA frequency) to access the content (from userinput selecting the link or in a transparent manner). Thus, the link maybe normalized for a broadcast area regardless of a device's platform(e.g., cable, satellite, OTA, or over-the-top (OTT)). In still anotherembodiment, a local device 105 or remote device 120 can perform theabove-described functions and automatically open a stream for the sharedcontent. In various embodiments, this allows local and remote devices105, 120 to be automatically “tuned” to the shared content, whetheraccessed via the Internet, OTA, or some other network. As will berecognized a variety of other approaches and techniques may also beused.

In one embodiment, for content that has already been aired, theappropriate network or broadcaster may provide previously aired contentvia one or more VOD servers, for example. Such a configuration may allowusers to access previously aired content at anytime regardless of thescheduled airing of the content.

In one embodiment, for content that has yet to be aired, the URI or URLmay also be used to set a reminder for the user. The reminder can beused to remind the user at a predetermined period of time before thecontent airs that the content will be aired shortly. Similarly, the URIor URL can be used to create a timer to request the content at theappropriate time and/or automatically record the content for the user.

2. Search and Tune

In one embodiment, a user may initiate (e.g., via the user operating alocal or remote device 105, 120) a search for content. For example, theuser may want to identify a television series, a program, an event(including a sporting event), a documentary, a movie, or a commercial,for example, that has aired, is airing, or will be aired. The user mayinitiate (e.g., via the user operating a local or remote device 105,120) the search via a browser, a dialogue box, or using any of a varietyof other techniques. The search may include text, images, links, or anyother information used to identify content. The local or remote device105 may also transmit information about the broadcast area (e.g., DMA)corresponding to the device, such as the name or identification numberof the broadcast area. For instance, the user may enter text, such as“American Idol,” as search terms in a dialogue box and initiate thesearch.

In one embodiment, the search request may be transmitted to theauthentication server 115, a broadcast server, or a search engine. Insuch a case, the local or remote device 105 may automatically includeinformation about the broadcast area (e.g., DMA) in the search. Theappropriate computing entity (authentication server 115, broadcastserver, or search engine) can then search for content associated withsearch terms, for example. The search may include searching, forexample, the Internet, search engines, and/or available grid informationfor a network, a broadcaster, and/or the like. In another embodiment,the device (local or remote device 105, 120) may search programinformation it has received. In other words, the device (local or remotedevice 105, 120) may perform a local search on program informationwithout transmitting the search externally. As will be recognized, avariety of searching techniques and approaches may be used.

In one embodiment, the search by the appropriate computing entity(authentication server 115, broadcast server, or search engine) mayidentify one or more television series, programs, events (including asporting event), documentaries, movies, and/or the like associated withthe search. The identified content can then be used by the appropriatecomputing entity (authentication server 115, broadcast server, or searchengine), for example, to determine the networks, broadcasters, and/orthe like authorized to distribute the content in the user's broadcastarea (and the date and time of the airing), if not provided. Continuingwith the above example, the appropriate computing entity (authenticationserver 115, broadcast server, or search engine) may need to identify theappropriate content associated with the search terms “American Idol” andidentify the appropriate broadcaster distributing the content in DesMoines, Iowa, for example.

In one embodiment, after (a) identifying one or more television series,programs, events (including a sporting event), documentaries, movies,and/or the like associated with the shared content and (b) determiningthe networks, broadcasters, and/or the like authorized to distribute thecontent in the user's broadcast area, the appropriate computing entity(authentication server 115, broadcast server, or search engine) cangenerate a URI or a URL for content accessible, for example, toauthenticated devices/users associated with the corresponding broadcastarea. In one embodiment, if more than one television series, program,event (including a sporting event), documentary, movie, and/or the likeassociated with the search is identified, the appropriate computingentity (authentication server 115, broadcast server, or search engine)can generate a unique URI or URL for each one identified. The URI and/orURL may also include a text description of the content associated withthe link.

The URI or URL, for example, can then be (a) sent to and (b) accessed orselected by the user (e.g., via the user operating a local or remotedevice 105, 120) to receive the content from the appropriate broadcastervia the Internet (or other network) or OTA. For example, the URI may bea link to access American Idol for a user in Des Moines, Ia., throughKCRG-TV9's website: www.kcrg.com/AmericanIdol_(—)2_(—)15_(—)2013.Similarly, the URL may be a link (www.syncbak.com/B001BZJ54U) along withtext that reads “select the link to view American Idol program airing onFeb. 15, 2013.” In one embodiment, the URI or URL may be used toinitiate a communication (e.g., a request) with a particular broadcasterto receive the content from the broadcaster, as discussed previously. Inresponse, the broadcaster can provide the content to the local or remotedevice 105, 120 via the Internet, for example. In another embodiment,such a link may be accessed by a local or remote device 105, 120 in amanner that is transparent to the user (e.g., automatically opening astream from the content). In yet another embodiment, the URI or URL maybe used to simply tune the device (e.g., tune to the appropriate OTAfrequency) to access the content (from user input selecting the link orin a transparent manner). Thus, the link may be normalized for abroadcast area regardless of a device's platform, e.g., (cable,satellite, OTA, or OTT). In still another embodiment, a local device 105or remote device 120 can perform the above-described functions andautomatically open a stream for the shared content. In variousembodiments, this allows local and remote devices 105, 120 to beautomatically “tuned” to the shared content, whether accessed via theInternet, OTA, or some other network. As will be recognized a variety ofother approaches and techniques may also be used.

In one embodiment, for content that has already been aired, theappropriate network or broadcaster may provide previously aired contentvia one or more VOD servers, for example. Such a configuration may allowusers to access previously aired content at anytime regardless of thescheduled airing of the content.

In one embodiment, for content that has yet to be aired, the URI or URLmay also be used to set a reminder for the user. The reminder can beused to remind the user at a predetermined period of time before thecontent airs that the content will be aired shortly. Similarly, the URIor URL can be used to create a timer to request the content at theappropriate time and/or automatically record the content for the user.

VII. Conclusion

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for receiving content availablefor consumption, the method comprising: receiving, via an electronicdevice, a message for display to a user of the electronic devicecomprising information about content available for consumption;generating, via the electronic device, a request for the contentavailable for consumption, wherein the request comprises a uniquebroadcast identifier, wherein the unique broadcast identifier isconfigured to at least identify content for which the electronic devicehas been previously authenticated; after a broadcast area associatedwith the electronic device is periodically identified based at least inpart on (i) the electronic device's physical location being within thebroadcast area and (ii) the unique broadcast identifier, receiving, viathe electronic device, a link to the content available for consumptionwithin the broadcast area, (a) the broadcast area defining a geographicregion in which each of a plurality of broadcasters has the right toprovide respective over-the-air broadcasts and (b) the link accessibleto provide the content available for consumption via one or morenetworks; and receiving, via the electronic device, the contentavailable for consumption based at least in part on the link.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising, after identifying the broadcastarea, receiving program information for the broadcast area.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the message is selected from the groupconsisting of a Tweet, a social network update, a text message, and anemail message.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the link is normalizedfor a plurality of platforms.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein theunique broadcast identifier is (a) associated with the electronic deviceand (b) corresponds to content access rights associated with theelectronic device.
 6. A computer program product for receiving contentavailable for consumption, the computer program product comprising atleast one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein for execution by an electronicdevice, the computer-readable program code portions comprising: anexecutable portion configured to receive a message for display to a userof the electronic device comprising information about content availablefor consumption; an executable portion configured to generate a requestfor the content available for consumption, wherein the request comprisesa unique broadcast identifier, wherein the unique broadcast identifieris configured to at least identify content for which the electronicdevice has been previously authenticated; an executable portionconfigured to, after a broadcast area associated with the electronicdevice is periodically identified based at least in part on (i) theelectronic device's physical location being within the broadcast areaand (ii) the unique broadcast identifier, receive a link to the contentavailable for consumption within the broadcast area, (a) the broadcastarea defining a geographic region in which each of a plurality ofbroadcasters has the right to provide respective over-the-air broadcastsand (b) the link accessible to provide the content available forconsumption via one or more networks; and an executable portionconfigured to receive the content available for consumption based atleast in part on the link.
 7. The computer program product of claim 6further comprising an executable portion configured to, afteridentifying the broadcast area, receive program information for thebroadcast area.
 8. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein themessage is selected from the group consisting of a Tweet, a socialnetwork update, a text message, and an email message.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 6, wherein the link is normalized for aplurality of platforms.
 10. The computer program product of claim 6wherein the unique broadcast identifier is (a) associated with theelectronic device and (b) corresponds to content access rightsassociated with the electronic device.
 11. An apparatus comprising atleast one processor and at least one memory including computer programcode, the at least one memory and the computer program code configuredto, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive amessage for display to a user of the apparatus comprising informationabout content available for consumption; generate a request for thecontent available for consumption, wherein the request comprises aunique broadcast identifier, wherein the unique broadcast identifier isconfigured to at least identify content for which the apparatus has beenpreviously authenticated; after a broadcast area associated with theapparatus is periodically identified based at least in part on (i) theapparatus' physical location being within the broadcast area and (ii)the unique broadcast identifier, receive a link to the content availablefor consumption within the broadcast area, (a) the broadcast areadefining a geographic region in which each of a plurality ofbroadcasters has the right to provide respective over-the-air broadcastsand (b) the link accessible to provide the content available forconsumption via one or more networks; and receive the content availablefor consumption based at least in part on the link.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the memory and computer program code are furtherconfigured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to, afteridentifying the broadcast area, receive program information for thebroadcast area.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the message isselected from the group consisting of a Tweet, a social network update,a text message, and an email message.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the link is normalized for a plurality of platforms.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein the unique broadcast identifier is (a)associated with the electronic device and (b) corresponds to contentaccess rights associated with the electronic device.
 16. A methodcomprising: receiving, via one or more processors, a request for contentavailable for consumption, the request originating from an electronicdevice, wherein the request comprises a unique broadcast identifier,wherein the unique broadcast identifier is configured to at leastidentify content for which the electronic device has been previouslyauthenticated; periodically identifying, via the one or more processors,a broadcast area associated with the electronic device, wherein thebroadcast area is identified based at least in part on (i) theelectronic device's physical location being within the broadcast areaand (ii) the unique broadcast identifier, the broadcast area defining ageographic region in which each of a plurality of broadcasters has theright to provide respective over-the-air broadcasts; identifying, viathe one or more processors, the requested content based at least in parton the electronic device's physical location; generating, via the one ormore processors, a link to the requested content; and providing, via theone or more processors, the link to the electronic device.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the requested content is available via anover-the-air broadcast in the broadcast area.
 18. The method of claim16, wherein the broadcast area is identified at least in part by using aglobal positioning satellite system.
 19. The method of claim 16, whereinthe broadcast area is identified at least in part by triangulation. 20.A computer program product, the computer program product comprising atleast one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions comprising: an executable portion configured to receive arequest for content available for consumption, the request originatingfrom an electronic device, wherein the request comprises a uniquebroadcast identifier, wherein the unique broadcast identifier isconfigured to at least identify content for which the electronic devicehas been previously authenticated; an executable portion configured toperiodically identify a broadcast area associated with the electronicdevice, wherein the broadcast area is identified based at least in parton (i) the electronic device's physical location being within thebroadcast area and (ii) the unique broadcast identifier, the broadcastarea defining a geographic region in which each of a plurality ofbroadcasters has the right to provide respective over-the-airbroadcasts; an executable portion configured to identify the requestedcontent based at least in part on the electronic device's physicallocation; an executable portion configured to generate a link to therequested content; and an executable portion configured to provide thelink to the electronic device.
 21. The computer program product of claim20, wherein the requested content is available via an over-the-airbroadcast in the broadcast area.
 22. The computer program product ofclaim 20, wherein the broadcast area is identified at least in part byusing a global positioning satellite system.
 23. The computer programproduct of claim 20, wherein the broadcast area is identified at leastin part by triangulation.
 24. An apparatus comprising at least oneprocessor and at least one memory including computer program code, theat least one memory and the computer program code configured to, withthe processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a request forcontent available for consumption, the request originating from anelectronic device, wherein the request comprises a unique broadcastidentifier, wherein the unique broadcast identifier is configured to atleast identify content for which the electronic device has beenpreviously authenticated; periodically identify a broadcast areaassociated with the electronic device, wherein the broadcast area isidentified based at least in part on (i) the electronic device'sphysical location being within the broadcast area and (ii) the uniquebroadcast identifier, the broadcast area defining a geographic region inwhich each of a plurality of broadcasters has the right to providerespective over-the-air broadcasts; identify the requested content basedat least in part on the electronic device's physical location; generatea link to the requested content; and provide the link to the electronicdevice.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the requested content isavailable via an over-the-air broadcast in the broadcast area.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein the broadcast area is identified at leastin part by using a global positioning satellite system.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 24, wherein the broadcast area is identified at leastin part by triangulation.